'Ayodhya tour' recommended a two days visit! We however made quick visit to the Ram Janmabhomi temple with Shrinivas, Mukti and family. No pictures as I did not carry my phone! We had a ride through narrow, winding and bumpy streets on two autos! The auto drivers surprisingly didn't know the roads and stopped often to check!
Anyway we reached the outskirts of the temple and got off the autos. Fares were charged per person! We chose to walk and joined one of the many lines, which were separated from others by barriers. We walked a fair distance and stopped at one of the many numbered booths. We deposited our footwear and were given a token. Shrinivas and Mukti also deposited their mobiles. There were separate lines for men and women for security check like in the airports. We moved fast, people seemed to be in a hurry. Soon we entered the temple premises, again there were lines and soon had our darshan of Ramlalla. We did pause a few seconds!It was a magical view of the idol.
We were out in a very short time. People did not linger like in other bigger temples. So no pushing and pulling of stragglers. I didn't hear anyone shout asking us to move fast inside the temple! Perhaps it was because it was not very crowded. Yes, we were quietly asked to move after we had got out, as a few stopped to look back! I was touched when many, mostly women, do 'sashtanga' namaskar! (prostrate!) after they came out of the rush
Once we were out, we stood around to absorb the atmosphere. The outer part of the temple is almost ready. Skilled workers were polishing the many pretty idols. They were using machines! Our heart (or is it the mind ?) was full of pride at the beautifully made temple. A brand new temple.
Recently I was at the Halebid temple. It hurt to see beautiful idols deliberately vandalized and was wondering how it would have looked when new. I got an answer in Ayodhya.
On the last day of the event, we had time for one more sight seeing trip! Mukti chose Guptar Ghat. Shrinivas had calls to take! Om gave his dad company! Guptar ghat on the river Sarayu is said to be the place from where SriRama took his 'jal samadi' ! I guess with a full river, the ghat will have a very different feel!
https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya/guptar-ghat
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| A long ride on the auto! |
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| The young Sri Rama would have walked around in his time! |
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| A new highway getting ready. A bypass from the inner city to the Ramlalla temple! |
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| The river would be wider during rainy season! |
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| A nice beach. It will be in water during rainy season. |
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| This old temple opened as we were about to leave. We walked in! |
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| Pictures to remember! |
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| The old and the new! |
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